Every summer, hundreds of ultrarunners toe the line in Olympic Valley, California, for the Western States Endurance Run. For many, WSER is the pinnacle of ultrarunning, a race that tests grit, endurance, and the ability to move through some of the most breathtaking terrain in the Sierra Nevada. But before it became a race, before gold miners and settlers arrived, these lands had already been home to Indigenous peoples for thousands of years.
The Original Stewards of the Land
The Western States course runs through the ancestral lands of the Nisenan, Maidu, and Washoe peoples. These tribes lived, traveled, and thrived in these mountains long before the idea of a 100-mile race existed. Their relationship with the land wasn’t about competition. It was about survival, stewardship, and deep cultural ties to the natural world.
Nisenan
The Nisenan people are Indigenous to the Sierra Nevada foothills and the American River watershed. Their lands extended through what is now Placer and Nevada counties, covering much of the early miles of the WSER course. Colonization and the Gold Rush devastated the Nisenan, displacing them from their land and nearly erasing their presence from history. Despite this, the Nisenan people remain, fighting for federal recognition and working to reclaim their cultural heritage.
Maidu
The Maidu traditionally lived in the northern Sierra Nevada and Sacramento Valley. They were skilled hunters, gatherers, and basket weavers, deeply connected to the land that WSER runners now traverse. Many Maidu people were forced into servitude or displaced during the Gold Rush, but their descendants continue to preserve their language and traditions.
Washoe
The Washoe people are the original inhabitants of the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas. They moved seasonally through the Sierra Nevada, following food sources and maintaining a balanced relationship with the environment. The Washoe fought to maintain their homelands despite settler encroachment, and today, they remain an active voice in environmental and cultural preservation efforts.
Why This Matters for Runners
As runners, we often talk about respecting the trails, practicing Leave No Trace principles, and being good stewards of the land. Part of that stewardship includes recognizing and honoring the history of the places we run. The WSER course isn’t just a beautiful stretch of mountains. It’s an Indigenous homeland, a place where people lived, gathered, and traveled long before the sport of ultrarunning existed.
One way white runners can be more mindful is by reconsidering how they talk about trails. Calling running spaces "their playground" can be problematic because it ignores the historical and cultural significance of these lands to Indigenous communities. It reinforces colonial attitudes that frame land as something to be owned and used for leisure rather than respected as a shared and sacred space. It also overlooks the fact that many communities, especially Indigenous and marginalized groups, have historically been excluded from outdoor spaces due to systemic barriers. The land is not just a backdrop for adventure. It holds stories, struggles, and deep connections that deserve recognition.
So what can you do? Start by learning more about the Indigenous history of the land you run on. Support Native-led organizations working to preserve culture and land rights. Acknowledge that running through these places is a privilege, not just a personal achievement.
Next time you’re climbing up to Escarpment or descending into the canyons, take a moment to appreciate the deeper history under your feet. The land remembers.